Experimental investigation of the start-up phase during direct chill and low frequency electromagnetic casting of 6063 aluminum alloy processes

Abstract

On the basis of conventional hot-top casting and Casting, Refining and Electromagnetic process, a lower frequency electromagnetic field was applied during the conventional hot-top casting process. Nine thermocouples (type K) were introduced into the metal to study the temperature profile in the ingot during the start-up phase of casting process. The experimental results show that under the effect of the low frequency electromagnetic filed, the heat transfer is changed greatly and the film boiling disappears, which could restrain the formation of fine subsurface cracks; the sump is shallow, and the macrostructure of the ingot butt is fine during the start-up phase of direct chill casting process.